Birmingham launches new training network to train six PhD students to use cutting-edge organic synthesis to aid drug discovery

Posted on 16 Feb 2018

The University of Birmingham has joined forces with industry partners in The Netherlands and Germany to launch iDesign, an EU-funded training network that will train six early-stage researchers to prepare bespoke, structurally and functionally diverse, three-dimensional molecules with desirable physicochemical properties for drug discovery.

The aim of the project is to accelerate and improve the drug-discovery process, to facilitate the development of new and improved therapies for patients.

The researchers will be trained at The University of Birmingham in state-of-the-art organic chemistry for the first 18 months before moving to their industry partner to take advantage of the facilities found in industry. The two partners are Mercachem, based in The Netherlands, and AnalytiCon Discovery based in Germany. Both these companies are CROs with a strong track record in working within the pharmaceutical sector and academia.